Leicester

Dan Roan, Simon Stone and Tom Mallows
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester were charged for allegedly breaching Rule E.49 of the Premier League PSR regulations because their three-year rolling losses of £129.4m, up to the end of the 2022-23 season, were over the allowed threshold of £105m.

Following their relegation from the Premier League in May the Foxes officially ceased to be a top-flight side when they transferred their share to Luton in mid-June 2023.

Leicester successfully argued that because their 2022-23 accounting period ended on 30 June, they were not longer bound by Premier League rules and so could not be found in breach.

The Foxes had earlier changed the end of their accounting period from 30 May to 30 June, though the commission said there was not "anything untoward" with the move and it complied with accounting rules.

Technically, the Premier League could appeal, but it is unlikely because the bar is so high on what they need to prove.

The issue is with the wording of the Premier League’s own rules rather than the validity of the judgement.

It has created a situation where relegated clubs are no longer part of the Premier League if their three-year accounting period ends on 30 June. The ruling says because of that, the Premier League has no authority to charge clubs because they are not members.

The league could re-write the rules to make them tighter and less ambiguous, avoiding a similar situation in the future.

Read the full analysis of Leicester's PSR case

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City right-back Ricardo Pereira is yet to play any minutes in the Premier League this season and former Foxes winger Matt Piper believes the Portugal international "has got to be in the team" going forward.

"We are only three games in, but we talked about the rhythm in this team earlier on this season and it is not quite there," he told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

"We are all shouting for Ricardo to be in the team. At some point the manager has got to give him the opportunity at Premier League level, whether it is in the centre or at full-back.

"You only stay in the Premier League with your best players - and he is definitely one of our best players."

Kate Blakemore from the Leicester Till I Die podcast added: "I agree with Pipes. He is one of the couple of world-class players that we have. He shone last year in the Championship and played in quite a few different roles.

"I think it was the game at Elland Road where I thought he was absolutely superb, when he moved into the middle and took them on. I would love to see him do that because he can defend and put the tackles in, but he is also so mobile and agile to move about the pitch and take the ball forward. We know he has got a couple of goals in his locker as well.

"If Steve Cooper still isn't playing Ricardo, then the fans are going to get on that and be frustrated if the results aren't coming.

"Cooper did say he watched every game of ours last season - so surely he can see how crucial Ricardo is to us in all areas."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Leicester City will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about the Foxes so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League sources were incredulous last night at the independent panel's decision to rule they cannot take action against Leicester City over potential profit and sustainability breaches.

Effectively, the ruling confirmed that because Leicester officially ceased to be a Premier League side when their share certificate was handed over in mid-June 2023, the league did not have the power to take action against them over the accounting period that ended on 30 June 2023.

The Premier League can appeal, but the bar is high and what would they be appealing against? The ruling indicates the wording in the Premier League's regulations is not legally sound.

That will certainly be looked at - but what does it mean for Nottingham Forest, who were also not a Premier League club for part of the period they were deducted points for last season, and also potential breaches in the latest set of accounts that clubs are due to present to the league in December.

Beyond that, if the Premier League cannot make this stick - and it is a relatively straightforward case - what does it mean for their chances of a successful hearing against Manchester City later this year?

We asked for your reaction to Leicester City avoiding a points deduction this season, after the club successfully appealed an alleged breach of the Premier League Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Andy: A just decision. We sold top quality players, got relegated, and fought on the pitch to get ourselves back to the Premier League. We are miles behind all of the clubs in the Premier League, who have been able to retain their squads and improve them. Let's banish the rules and let results on the pitch determine each team's fate.

Rich: I'm very pleased. It has been ridiculous having this hanging over us for months. If this decision had been made a lot earlier, it might have had a real effect on our recruitment of not only players but the management too.

Liz: I'm so happy - this has just been hanging over us. Financial Fair Play needs to be looked at and modified. It is so unfair to the mid- and lower-table clubs who are trying to at least vaguely compete with the top six. Now we can concentrate on staying up!

Tony: We don't know the full details, but it appears to be a technicality. I'm glad because the rules seemed to be all about stopping teams outside of the 'Big Six' from competing with the 'Big Six'.

JG: As a Leicester fan, I find it embarrassing. Due to incompetence, we breached the rules. However, instead of accepting it, it seems we tried to swindle our way out of it. Legally we may have a point, but morally I think it is quite disrespectful to the other teams.

Nick: A decade on from showing that smaller clubs could be successful on the pitch, this is a massive victory. Hopefully this allows Leicester City, and other ambitious teams, to compete with the big boys once again.

Kay: Fantastic! A victory for the 'little' clubs. It's about time the playing field was made equal. Come on you Blues.

Leicester have won an appeal against a decision that could have led to a points deduction for an alleged breach of Premier League Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

An independent panel found the Premier League did not have the jurisdiction to punish the club.

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